There are three scenarios for canceling an election:
1 No one or just one person is running for a citywide position.
2 No one or just one person is running in a legislative district.
3 If offices are voted in at-large and there are the same number of candidates as open seats.
If one of those happens then the city council has three options:
1 Appoint to the office the only available candidate.
2 If there are no candidates the city council can choose any eligible resident to the open seat.
3 Vote to hold an election.
Bonus: If the city does nothing, then the election happens automatically.
Related story: “Why San Marcos, Solana Beach and Del Mar canceled their elections”
The city has to make a decision at least 75 days before the election. Once appointed the person serves exactly as if he or she had won the seat in a regular election.
